Contract Situation

[Neill_M]

What we really need is a mid-20s Kiwi 10 that has been playing NPC/Super Rugby for 4+ years. Never going to trouble the NZ squad but is a good operator, that will seriously elevate standards. Like a young Jimmy G or Steinmetz (I know Steiner got 2mins off the bench, once, for NZ . . ). But of that ilk, a committed lad with ability. Get him in, build the team around him.

I haven't watched Soup Rugby in years. Is therr anyone like that floating about?

Fergus Burke would be ideal from the Crusaders. Possibly Irish qualified but unsure, also rumoured that Townsend is trying to get him to Glasgow so he must be Scottish qualified too. Not sure he’d leave though, with Mo’unga leaving for Japan, he seems to be in a strong position for the 10 jersey over there.

Haven't seen any confirmation that he is IQ'd, he is definitely SQ'd and as you say SRU are trying to get him. They have missed out on Finn Smith from Northampton, looks like he will be capped by England on the weekend.

[Thelaw]

I think the more worrying part of the report is that we are doing this as part of a cost cutting exercise. That means there will be no big money NIQ replacement. Or I think any replacement at all. If the Leinster players were moving they would go to Munster, just like carberry, though that was a lucky miss. It looks like we have been told no by Dublin, they are going to support the 3 southern teams first and we can make do and mend. There is definitely some dead wood, Addison has been woeful for example. Maybe a season with kids coming through wouldn't be the worst if we can get are heads around it. But management changes are nessecary

[jean valjean]

I think the more worrying part of the report is that we are doing this as part of a cost cutting exercise. That means there will be no big money NIQ replacement. Or I think any replacement at all. If the Leinster players were moving they would go to Munster, just like carberry, though that was a lucky miss. It looks like we have been told no by Dublin, they are going to support the 3 southern teams first and we can make do and mend. There is definitely some dead wood, Addison has been woeful for example. Maybe a season with kids coming through wouldn't be the worst if we can get are heads around it. But management changes are nessecary

No leinster 10 is going to go to munster. At present they have 4 players with international ambitions and one of them will have to go, not too mention tector also. Ross is the incumbent, prendergast is the up and coming so harry and frawley are the 2 most likely to need a move.

[Dharper]

Maybe under “cost cutting” may force UR to make the decisions around players they could’ve made previously. Going forward there could be a painful few seasons, but a coach with experience of improving/bring through pups will be a must, as the squad profile changes.

The entire coaching set up will gradually drop off contract. Dan sounds like a man out of ideas, and beaten by a system that unless you have a production line of youth talent / high training standards you’re in big trouble.

I hope the remaining players / management realise this is the result of losing to connacht and pitchgate. May just sharpen the resolve going forward.

[SUFTUM_19]

I think the more worrying part of the report is that we are doing this as part of a cost cutting exercise. That means there will be no big money NIQ replacement. Or I think any replacement at all. If the Leinster players were moving they would go to Munster, just like carberry, though that was a lucky miss. It looks like we have been told no by Dublin, they are going to support the 3 southern teams first and we can make do and mend. There is definitely some dead wood, Addison has been woeful for example. Maybe a season with kids coming through wouldn't be the worst if we can get are heads around it. But management changes are nessecary

Judging by the rumour that we are prepared to offload our starting 10 to save money, with no real sign of a replacement, there is absolutely no chance we are in a position to afford to release coaches from their contracts a year early, so whilst I do agree that management changes are necessary, I don’t think it’s possible and we’re just going to have to stick it out for the next season and a half. It makes the whole plastic pitch decision even more confusing if finances are as bad as they seem to be.

[promenader 2]

Maybe under “cost cutting” may force UR to make the decisions around players they could’ve made previously. Going forward there could be a painful few seasons, but a coach with experience of improving/bring through pups will be a must, as the squad profile changes.

The entire coaching set up will gradually drop off contract. Dan sounds like a man out of ideas, and beaten by a system that unless you have a production line of youth talent / high training standards you’re in big trouble.

I hope the remaining players / management realise this is the result of losing to connacht and pitchgate. May just sharpen the resolve going forward.

'Going forward there could be a painful few seasons.'
Nothing to worry about, then. We're well used to painful seasons in these parts.

[justinr73]

Hmmm, not really.

There’s frequently a painful play-off defeat but most Ulster fans only see about three losses a year.

[ScottishBrian]

I cannot believe that there will not be another player signed if BB moves to Munster, I wish him well, it would be extraordinary that he goes and there isn't a replacement.

If this does happen then it isn't just the coaches that have to go

[BR]

Hmmm, not really.

There’s frequently a painful play-off defeat but most Ulster fans only see about three losses a year.

2007-2010, I think we were into the teens.

[Lurgan Lad]

I think the more worrying part of the report is that we are doing this as part of a cost cutting exercise. That means there will be no big money NIQ replacement. Or I think any replacement at all. If the Leinster players were moving they would go to Munster, just like carberry, though that was a lucky miss. It looks like we have been told no by Dublin, they are going to support the 3 southern teams first and we can make do and mend. There is definitely some dead wood, Addison has been woeful for example. Maybe a season with kids coming through wouldn't be the worst if we can get are heads around it. But management changes are nessecary

Judging by the rumour that we are prepared to offload our starting 10 to save money, with no real sign of a replacement, there is absolutely no chance we are in a position to afford to release coaches from their contracts a year early, so whilst I do agree that management changes are necessary, I don’t think it’s possible and we’re just going to have to stick it out for the next season and a half. It makes the whole plastic pitch decision even more confusing if finances are as bad as they seem to be.

If this is about money, then signing Kitschoff sure speaks of disfunction. Cunningham and Petrie should have an idea of what their budget will be year on year, pointless spending money on a big signing and then struggle to retain starters elsewhere a year later.

[Thelaw]

Perhaps the irfu could help out someone other than Munster for a change. No reason the under 20s six nations couldn't move north now for a couple of years, should help with the Bank Balance

[NoPayneNoGain]

Perhaps the irfu could help out someone other than Munster for a change. No reason the under 20s six nations couldn't move north now for a couple of years, should help with the Bank Balance

Not sure this is helpful.

Norn Iron permanently cap in hand. Politicians with the begging bowl to Westminster and you would have us begging irfu for more dough too?

A bitta realism that our board &/or C suit put us in this position and we need to sort it out wouldn't go a miss. Time for some grown up decisions

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[thecrouch]

I think the more worrying part of the report is that we are doing this as part of a cost cutting exercise. That means there will be no big money NIQ replacement. Or I think any replacement at all. If the Leinster players were moving they would go to Munster, just like carberry, though that was a lucky miss. It looks like we have been told no by Dublin, they are going to support the 3 southern teams first and we can make do and mend. There is definitely some dead wood, Addison has been woeful for example. Maybe a season with kids coming through wouldn't be the worst if we can get are heads around it. But management changes are nessecary

Judging by the rumour that we are prepared to offload our starting 10 to save money, with no real sign of a replacement, there is absolutely no chance we are in a position to afford to release coaches from their contracts a year early, so whilst I do agree that management changes are necessary, I don’t think it’s possible and we’re just going to have to stick it out for the next season and a half. It makes the whole plastic pitch decision even more confusing if finances are as bad as they seem to be.

If this is about money, then signing Kitschoff sure speaks of disfunction. Cunningham and Petrie should have an idea of what their budget will be year on year, pointless spending money on a big signing and then struggle to retain starters elsewhere a year later.

They know what the budget is but I believe a big chunk of that 900k loss is purely down to the La Rochelle shitshow.

Ulster would have had to pay the costs of Lansdowne Road, pay to get La Rochelle there, and then also refund all the tickets that they had sold for it. Very expensive mistake.

[Horse15]

Perhaps the irfu could help out someone other than Munster for a change. No reason the under 20s six nations couldn't move north now for a couple of years, should help with the Bank Balance

I don’t think these games would be much of a money spinner - avg attendances in or around 4K.

[Neill_M]

Perhaps the irfu could help out someone other than Munster for a change. No reason the under 20s six nations couldn't move north now for a couple of years, should help with the Bank Balance

I don’t think these games would be much of a money spinner - avg attendances in or around 4K.

Musgrave Park was sold out for the two games v England and France last season, holds 8,008. The Scotland game in 2022 was also sold out and the Welsh game in 2022 got 7,289 at it.